Of all the places in Australia I’ve been too on my motorcycle over the past 10 years, Tintaldra is my most favourite place. My haven of tranquility, where everything could go wrong in the normal world but there I have no cares or worries in the world.

Out the door at 7:00am in the rain and off we go. Pretty uneventful ride down the highway and the cruise control is already paying for itself. For the first time in, oh, I don’t know how long, Karl sat behind me all the way to Bungendore. Gunna-Doo cafe for morning tea….coffee & donut. Karl turns off at Queanbeyan (the super tanker doesn’t need fuel) and I carry on to Hume for fuel and we meet back up in Cooma.

Onto the Snowy Mountains Highway, yes, you got it, my favourite piece of road to Adaminaby where we find our friends from Canberra sitting around finishing lunch. It’s still a bit cool but I know the weather will improve once we get over the  mountain a wee bit. After our lunch we all head off, the Canberra crew taking Elliot Way while Karl and I take Cabramurra Way to the Khancoban turn off then enjoy the trip into Corryong for supplies.

His packing and her packing 🙂

Sweeps and curves, bends and twists lined with mother natures finest wilderness. Dappled light and roads to ourselves, what more could you want. Supplies obtained and we high tail it out to “my haven, our haven”. We are staying at Betts B&B this year while everyone else are staying at the caravan park. Bett’s place has the best spot in town we reckon, overlooking the Murray River with a beautiful backyard hidden behind the Tintaldra Tea Rooms (which at 90yrs old she also runs).

Pizza night at Clearwater by the Upper Murray surrounded by like minded friends = an awesome time. Catching up and a few drinks, its like this every time. Yowie and Fudge love the attention (although they are not the security guards they used to be) and lets face it, we love spoiling them with hugs.

Tucked away in our own little Betts Hideaway we had a glorious nights sleep and woke to a beautiful sun rise. A cuppa tea and wonder down to the park for a full breaky with everyone before suiting up for a stunning days of riding fabulous roads with great mates.

Destination decided on is Bright……on a bright sunny day! Awesome! Along the river road into Walwa and I say I’m going ahead to take some pics. Just into Tholongooloo and I find a spot where I can hide on the bank and take pics of my friends coming round a bend. With Dudley parked safely down the road, I go back, set up and wait. Now, I took some pics, they aren’t great, it was my first time taking  pics like this….oh well, lesson learned…..leave it to the experts!  LOL

Short detour to look for Ree’s petrol cap (lost on Friday) and Karl and I head off down the Cow Rd before getting to the Bright turn off. We had the Cow Rd all to ourselves….it was lovely, even better we got to ride together (which we haven’t done for such a long time). What a beautiful morning as we turn up Tawonga Gap Rd and look forward to the curvaceous climb to Bright. There are quite a few cyclist most were accommodating but there were more that purposefully blocked the road…PITA! Bright’s busy – market day and god knows what push bike event (they were everywhere). Parked up and off to the River Deck cafe for lunch but not before a spot of shopping. Picked up a lovely besoke skirt – win! Lovely lunch with friends and then we are off again. Back down Tawonga Gap Rd (damn shame really) and then up the highway a bit and Karl turns off and I have no idea where we went….I just followed him and it was wonderful. Kinda like date day! Twists and turns, lovely scenery – perfect day.

Back into Tintaldra and me good ol’ mates Diesel, Growly and Mrs Growly have arrived – awesome!! The rest of the crew arrive and the introductions are made before setting in for a night of shenanigans. The group piccy is done before we have to many cordials and before long dinner in served. God bless Rick and Ailsa, a scrumptious baked dinner and dessert, it was the quietest we were all weekend. Diesel was all set up over at camp “Diesel-Land” complete with everything bar the kitchen sink…lol.

Now speaking of cordial, young Esther packed a bottle of schnapps from the Wild Brumby Distillery as a treat for us. Sckull they say and so I did. Holy mother of hot chilli’s!! Just a tad hot *breathing fire* as one is unable to speak, all captured by me good ol’ mate….thanks.

Sunday morning, packed and down for the breakfast fit for a king and queen. It’s sad, we have to head home which means we have to say farewell until next time…and…to think some of these friends only live an hour away.

Another glorious day and as hard as it is to leave this little piece of paradise we have to go home and back to Ella-Jane. Through the crisp morning air to Khancoban for fuel before the climb up The Alpine Way, through Thredbo, Jindy, Cooma before stopping for fuel and lunch in Queanbeyan.

The trip home from here is almost like running on auto-pilot and we have been lucky that the looming dark clouds have stayed at bay.

Back home to a very happy Ella-Jane.

Til next year, unless I win the lotto and buy a little piece of my heaven 🙂

The Tintaldra Crew 2017

Ride the Snowies with friends after Christmas for a few days before going back to work for me – how could you not take up the opportunity. Ella-Jane spending her holiday with Nanny & Pa while Karl & I head away.

We meet at Pheasants Nest, fuel up and head out straight down the slab. Nothing to see here! It’s hot already and we have a short break at Mendooran where Gene advises he needs fuel – what? Already! Anyways, another stop in Jugiong where Gene’s bike’s stator dies. We all eventually meet up at Gundagai for fuel and lunch and the guys hatch a plan to help Gene out.

Had to stop for this one.

apparently there is a matching sign somewhere near the Dog on the Tuckerbox….but I’ve never seen it.

Karl, Paul & Gene head to Albury and the rest of us travel through as planned to Tumut, Kiandra, through Cabramurra Way (I think the real name of the road is Link Rd & changes to Goat Ridge Rd). The guys are goooone and I’m happy just to cruise on my own, take in a bit of the scenery. Into Khancoban for fuel and afternoon tea – well milkshakes and a banana for me. Have a chat to a fella I met back on the 2012 Black Dog Ride – he has one arm, rides a KLR650 and is happy to chat away (for the life of me though I can’t remember his name).

afternoon tea

It’s humid and still hot and I’m not in the mood to do Granya this afternoon so I decide to split from the group and head through Corryong (Andy joined me) before arriving in Tallangatta, where Karl, Paul & Gene are already kicking back. Dinner at the Victoria Hotel (not the greatest) before returning for stories and bullshit….cos that’s whatyado! Also…..Is there a Doctor in the house??

After dinner we go for a walk down along Lake Hume and watch the sunset.

Friend to all down this way, Ward has generously offered to act as tour guide today (since it was reported/believed that Hotham was supposed to be overrun by lycra clad road thieves today). Breaky at the local MJ’s Bakery (great coffee) and full of all wondrous calorie delicacies that one really only needs to indulge in once.

Ward leads us out through a maze of back roads to the famous Cow Rd (Gundowring Rd) before weaving us through Happy Valley, Mrytleford past Gapsted Wines before arriving at the Milawa Cheese Factory right on morning tea time.

A cloud covered day does not instinctively mean it’s going to be cooler by any means. Due to the intermittent rain the day before and overnight there is the heaviness of humidity hanging around. Some sample the offerings of the cheese factory while I was happy just to wonder round and listen to conversation. Then it’s through Oxley (where I think of fellow LD rider OX-34), Moyhu, King Valley and then Whitfield where we turn to head into the twisties. Back down the road the a bit we’d passed 2x unmarked Mr Plods both sitting on KL1600’s in Navy Blue (almost black) with camouflaged gear sitting just off to the right….sneaky buggers.

Waving the boys through cos I don’t want to hold them up, I start my climb after them. Nice road, a bit damp, leaf litter and twigs from the overnight rains but lovely scenery. I stopped at a point up the hill to take a pic.

Beautiful scenery just not a lot of places to pull over safely.

Wasn’t stopped for very long but two corners later and Mr Plods escorted me all the way to Tolmie Pub where everyone was waiting patiently for me. Naturally I was a good girl and road sensibly to which earnt me a pleasing wave by both Mr Plods as I pulled off the road.  Charming pub with motorcycle friendly staff served us lunch in no time. Foods not bad, the pulled pork burger looked fabulous and I was told was fabulous. With lunch done it’s back down the hill at a steady pace since it’s raining now and as sticky as.

We weaved way back following our tour guide through Milawa-Tarrawingee Rd into Upper Everton before ending up at the back end of Beechworth for fuel. Again we afford fabulous countryside as we snake through Osborns Flat, Allans Flat, Staghorn Flat before popping out at Tangambalanga Flat….LOL…not there’s not Flat at Tangambalanga, just the Murray Goulburn – Danone/Devondale Factory. Waving hoo-roo to Ward – Thanks Mate! we follow the highway back to Tallangatta. Swim time!!! YAY!!

Dinner tonight is at the Tallangatta Hotel were Mark & Esther joined us (they spotted Karl & I passing through Yackandandah) and sent a message. A lovely family dinner for 10 was had that night along with the swapping of stories, catching up and remedies for McGiver stator fixes were had. It was lovely to see Mark & Esther again but as the story goes, all good things must come to an end and they head back to Wodonga for the rest of their trip.

Thunderstorms that night and I’d said to Karl “if it’s raining tomorrow, I’m doing my own thing”. Well there was heaps of rain overnight and in fact woke to rain – my plan fixed for the day – day off. Gene was heading to Albury to acquire the necessary McGiver equipment for the temp fix (that’s his story to tell) and the boys, well they still decided to go do Hotham. So I kiss Karl toddle-loo and be careful and give the guys the same be careful as they rode out the driveway in the rain. Time to kick back & relax, read some book, listen to the rain then suit up and head on into Yackandandah for lunch.

Although Yack’s only a 31.2km ride, I enjoyed the solitude it afforded me. Found a park and walked the town (both sides of it…lol). Sussed out the info centre for future accommodation in the area for finding myself in a crystal, incense burning shop which had a little bit of everything. Found the cutest pair of socks and ended up spending about 15 minutes chatting away to the lady behind the counter. Unfortunately the pie shop was full, I couldn’t even get in the door so ended up having lunch in the bakery – a pie and vanilla milkshake (wasn’t bad either).

On the way back stopped for a pic and to check the phone to find one of the boys (not Karl) had rung and not left a message. Panic set in and I returned his call and left a message that I was 13km outta Tallangatta and presumed that something had gone horribly wrong and was heading back toot-sweat! Arriving back I discovered that the group had split up due to poor visibility (actually zero visibility) up the mountain and so two of them had decided to turn around and the other three (including Karl) had pushed through. When I took a breath, I realised that he must be ok cos we spoke when he was at Omea for lunch so all would be good just had to wait for them to get back.

Weather is not forecasted to be great in Victoria for the next few days so we decide to head home with the group. We go over Granya and along the river to Jingellic (where the bunnies are out in abundance this morning) before rolling into Tumbarumba for morning tea. We’ve had a bit of rain this morning and the humidity is atrocious…all your gear is sticking to you and just feels yukky. Through the scenic hills of Batlow before popping into Tumut and then into Gundagai to regroup, say our farewells and thank Dan for organising the weekend.

Karl & I push onto to Jugiong for fuel. Jugiong is a hive of activity today. Who knew or knows what wondrous occasion had the biggest influx of people to this town that doesn’t (on the surface) seem to have much. Back out on the highway and its The Slab but not before turning off to Gunning where we had lunch at The Old Hume Café (heaps of people here too…must be something happening in small country towns today). Nothing to report from here really, it’s the Hume Highway with holiday traffic heading back for the New Year (I presume). It’s still horridly humid and on the outskirts of Campbelltown the temperature spikes to 42 degrees (according to Dudley) and I cannot wait to get home and outta my gear. Took forever to get through the Sydney traffic before we landed back in the drive of home.

GunningAs always, it’s good to get away for a few days. Am I sorry I didn’t get to do Hotham and the Mitta Mitta road – no. It was my holiday also and sometimes you enjoy not going with the group and doing your own thing.

Here’s the SPOT map of the journey….nothing much exciting but was still good to be on the bike.

A disturbed night sleep listening to riders waking and leaving from as early as 3am had me out and on the road just after 6.

A lovely morning, a little dewy and with good weather predicted I was excited to see the day come to life. And what a rise at dawn

I love riding at this time of day, alone but not, tranquil and serene out on the road……it’s just a road……yes, but it is… but so much more! The sky provides its own version of Vivid…..so much more real and alive than any computer generated spectacular. You can’t help but stop, yes in the middle of the road and take to opportunity to drink it all in.

Looking for things I’ve not seen before had me turning off the Willowie Rd to visit a Giant Gum Tree…..WOW!! it’s huge – giant even…lol and have my oat bar for breakfast.

Dudley and I aren’t fond of dirt roads but this little one was worth it to get to the tree. Soon into Orroroo (no scones today) as the sun starts to ride to eye level.

Dance of the Clouds was being performed this morning courtesy of Mother Nature, how can you not love this.

It’s picture day today! No SLR’s, giant lenses or other stuff (like other can use), just the good old point and shoot and phone camera – you make do with what you have. And I can’t complain when I get pretty good pics. Peterborough for a train and north of Burra for a wind turbine propeller all the while watching the fuel gauge and hoping I could get fuel in Burra. The heated gear is working a treat again this morning, providing a lovely warmth keeping at bay the onset of fatigue in the right shoulder from the bursitis. A lovely elderly couple asked me “aren’t you cold dear & are you on your own” to which I replied “toasty warm thanks – heated gear plugs into the bike and Yes, hubby is waiting for me in Sydney” the looks of amazement on their faces was priceless. They were a little more curious so I indulged them some more conversation before gracefully advising I really must get going. When you aren’t on the clock it’s the moments like this with total strangers that solidifies in my mind part of the reason I keep riding to places far and wide.

Somewhere along the B64 I spot this windmill, standing proud like a soldier guarding his post and thought “now this is what an entrance to home should look like!” One day my Sweety and I will have a lovely home to call our own embellished with hopefully a windmill. Yamba roadhouse for my second breakfast and dropped Marls a quick message to let her know that I was making good time and wouldn’t require the bed (this time) – thanks guys, it’s lovely knowing you have somewhere to stay if required. Another couple at the roadhouse with an old Holden and an old bubble caravan had broken down – gearbox stuffed. I helped push the car into position so they could hook the van up and limp into Renmark. Naturally, I asked did they have far to go…..”on our way to WA for our first holiday in 25 years!!” My heart felt for them. They didn’t look like they had a lot and he’d worked on restoring the car and van especially for the trip (had taken him years). I hope they make it!

Through Mildura and I wave to Marls, hoping she’s having a good day at work and continue to watch the “Dance of the Clouds”. Had to stop at the border, the thought of nearly being home was to strong an urge to resist. Starting to get a bit cooler now and as it come to the outskirts of Euston, I spot this street sign. Had to turn around and go back for a photo. Fatman & Lynne this one’s for you guys!! Having a giggle to myself and chomping on Mentos, I continued on. The flip face helmet is great for a quick snack from the tank bag. You just have to remember to tear them open first or get something in a tube that is easy to extract with teeth….lol

Watching the clouds and I was tipping my good run was going to be over as a storm seemed to be brewing the further east I went. Despite having all the gear, I decided Balranald was my stop for tonight (I didn’t want to get wet today…I know, soft) but hey…it is what it is. I’d tried on a couple of previous trips to stay at The Club Motel (it’s new, only been open 2 years) and have been unlucky. But this time, I struck gold!!! Dylan (the manager) had a lovely queen room available with undercover parking for Dudley – awesome!!! Now I’ve stayed in a couple of the places in town previously but from now on, I am staying here. Check out the website The Club Motel Balranald . The room rate is good and for the quality and service you receive, well a few bigger city motels could really take some lessons from this young man. A comfy bed, a hot decent shower, clean..yes sparkling clean everything in the middle of town next door to dinner, what more could you ask for!! I met John at the club (also travelling on his own) and we enjoyed a nice dinner together. I also met two other lovely older gentlemen who rode in on ST’s and I had a moment of mistaken identity (which we all had a giggle about). All the men were surprise that I was travelling on my own but said “good onya girl”. Thanks guys!

Balranald seems to be my half way stopover place. The feed at the club is pretty good too.

Check in with the Sweety and my parents, then it’s time to take advantage of the comfy bed and get a good nights sleep.

Monday, my day off, what a way to again start the day. You can never get tired a witnessing sights like this. BTW this is the Hay Plain another straight road with views as far as the eye can see. Alas again this morning the drive to “Hell’s Gate” was obstructed by quagmire so there was no stopping again…next time.

Have I mentioned at all how much I’m loving this heated gear, well it’s served well again this morning (the jacket and glove liners anyway). A short stop at the Outback Shearers to unplug the pants and stock as they continue to overheat me to the point of burning (will have to remember to ring Geoff and get this sorted out when I get home). Toddling down the road, bopping along, enjoying the lushness of the fields due to the rain. North of Darlington Point you come across the entrance to a zoo – Altina Wildlife Zoo naturally you have to take a pic of this. Now this place we will have to come back to and visit. They take you around the park/zoo in the back of a horse drawn cart, up close and personal like with the animals, that’s what the man who came to the gate tells me anyway. Interesting.

The reserve light been flashing for a while now and I’m hoping to make Narrandera. Roll in with 310km on the clock and wondering why is it that crossing the Hay you always use more fuel……ah great mysteries of the world I tell you….LOL!  On the way across a lot of roads were closed due to water crossing everywhere. Today the water is still rising but is just contained by the banks however, there are several signs warning of “water over road”.

It’s a wonder day to be out riding…..hell yeah! Love is a funny thing, ya know. I’ve been away from home 3 days, 3 days without my Karl (talking on the phone just isn’t the same) and the heart just yearns for him. It makes you realise how much he means to you. Into Wagga and a pic for Karl a plan on a pole. Well he could tell you exactly what type of plane it is and probable when it was built but for me it just reminded me of him. The Hume highway the pathway to tangents that hold far more exciting paths to enticing roads but not today…..hmmm, well maybe just a little detour – The Snowy Mountain Highway, oh well, maybe not today…darn.

Lunch at Yass Service Centre McDonalds after getting the slowest fuel service ever, then the slab home. Can’t say the highway is exciting or even memorable, the traffic increases and the sudden thought of being back in the real world hits. But then the real world means “My Sweety” and that’s a bloody good reason to head back to reality. Into the drive at 5pm and into the open arms of the man I love to pieces!!!

Woken up to the rumbling sound of bike engines at the unruly time of 7:12am…how dare they…lol

A quite run up Horrocks Way to Davo’s plaque for a quiet moment on my own and to grab a banner shot.

Into the thriving metropolis of Wilmington. I was beginning to think I was on my own….looked pretty deserted. Alas, my thoughts were dashed when I see some of the kool kids emerging from the newly opened café. Hugs and hello’s, a late breaky and coffee was enjoyed while chatting away with friends.

Soon after, we start to congregate before enjoying a group Memorial Ride through Horrocks Pass to Davo’s plaque. Nico & Russel spoke wonderful words and gave us all time to remember Davo and for me also Pat “Toura” McLean. Baz sang words of remembrance and he and Liz lay wreaths.

Most of the group went for an afternoon ride for a late lunch to Quorn, however myself, Gags and a few others headed back to the Wilmington Hotel for a bit of quiet time.

A quite drink on the verandah chatting to new and old friends and say hoo roo to Marls before heading up for a bit of a nap before dinner.

Jan the publican is very welcoming, I don’t know why every one says she’s scary…..she was lovely (maybe it was just because I was “a new face”). A noisy evening meal, watching most of the guys consume that red poison (that I imagine will play havoc with their heads in the morning…lol). Time for bed and just get going in the morning whenever I wake up.

There were many many more photos and memories shared throughout the day. Sometimes, these moments are just meant to be kept to ones self though.

RIP Pat “Toura” McLean, your memory lives on!

Has been on the bucket list of rides to do, however after the passing earlier this year of Long Distance riding friend Pat “Toura” McLean, this ride was in the planning. A chance to also pay respect to Davo Jones founder of FarRiders and IBA member and remember other fallen riders.

The plan was easy, almost a replica of my original SS1600 from 2010 – Sydney to Port Augusta but this time on my own.

Down to the local Caltex North Ryde for a start docket at bang on Friday 9^th Sept @ 03:00am and signed witness form. Onto the M2, M7 and before long the Hume Hway into a clear night sky and cool temperatures, and yes, I said clear skies. Not much happening, lots of truck heading south, very boring inducing the old noddy factor. About 60 kays north of Yass Service Centre I had to pull off the road into a truck bay, lay down on the grass and grab 20 minutes kip. Safety first. Yass Service Centre for fuel and the slowest service ever.

Suns up, morning is alive, not long and into Wagga Wagga. Couldn’t believe the old Murrumbidgee Milling Co is being demolished for apartment buildings…history gone again. Outta town and onto the open road to Narrandera Roadhouse. It’s along the Sturt Hway here that I start to notice how much rain the area has had…..water is up to the roads edge and everything is green as green can be with the pop of brilliant yellow from the Canola fields.

Breakfast stop at the Narrandera Roadhouse @ 09:21am – fuel for Dudley and me. The sky is starting to look dubious, so ask around with a few of the truckies to how the weather is heading west. The response is a bit mixed but the common point was I was going to get wet…..the “to be determined” was how much. Well that little question didn’t take long to get answered and pretty much set the scene for the rest of the ride. There’s so much water over the road that you aqua plane every now and then. Ah the heated gear, yes, I had it on and yes it kept me warm but the neck design on my KLIM jacket leaves a lot to be desired – big fail.

No stopping at Hell’s Gate today….it’s too wet and the driveway is a quagmire.

Balranald Roadhouse 12:56pm for fuel, take refuge from the deluge and put on the wet weather jacket, change out of the wet balaclava into a dry neck sock and back out into the deluge. The rain was so heavy through Balranald that you couldn’t see the road surface (s’pose it also had something to do with the water that was on the inside and outside of my glasses and visor too) Soldier on.

The rain, well kept falling and on the odd occasion would stop for a bit before coming back with a vengeance. Pulled into the Buronga IGA Express for fuel right on school time….bad move Kimmie.

Watching the sky and I’m hopeful that the patches of blue, yes that’s blue stay with me and the sun stays up. At the Yamba inspection station, I am asked very nicely by the man if he could check all my luggage for fruit. Anyway, what do you do…time is ticking away. Thankfully after inspecting the top box only to find it nearly empty he was happy that I wasn’t carrying any fruit and let me go.

Across the river at Paringa and I encounter the Grey Nomad patrol. Don’t ask me where they came from, they just appeared. From here it’s where I start to play leap frog with a few of the trucks and one particular coach. The trucks were all pretty nice, it was like the Kimmie telegraph had gone out and most of them blinked me through……..that is except for this coach which would move over the centre to block the line of sight.

It doesn’t take long for the sun to start to set and I pull into the Blanchetown Roadhouse for fuel and dinner @ 17:52pm ACST. Check in with Karl and mention that I think I might be short on kays. With total confidence Karl says to me, “you’ll be fine but just re-check at your next stop or closer to the finish” thanks Sweety and then have some dinner…..well kinda, a Mrs Mac’s Pie with sauce and water. Note to self, don’t stop here for dinner next time. By the time I’m ready to leave it’s dark and now the night leg of the trip starts. It’s so totally different riding at night on roads you are familiar with but roads you aren’t bring a whole new challenge and awareness to you. Now this heated gear, how toasty am I….yeah baby. No aches, the shoulder is in good shape cos there’s been no cold stress through my body and helps manage the fatigue that so often I experience….loving it!! Why didn’t I invest years ago…..

There are no pics from here on, too dangerous to stop. The rain again comes and goes when it pleases making visibility difficult with rain on the glasses and inside the visor. There are so many trucks heading east and all there lights remind me of Optimus Prime…..so every heavy mover became Optimus Prime just to amuse myself. Unfortunately, there were no Bumble Bee’s out tonight. Through Nuriootpa and into Gawler for a corner docket before finding my way through Angle Vale Rd to the freeway heading to Port Wakefield.

Unknown territory here and I am totally relying on the GPS. Running numbers through my head and I’m obviously getting a bit tired cos I can’t add it up. Into Port Wakefield BP for fuel another docket @ 20:43pm ACST and the lady says “you’re game riding out here on your own. Have you come far and do you have far to go?” When I tell her when I left this morning and where I’m heading she just shook her head and smiled…as you do.

About 15km south of the Crystal Brook turn off my SPOT tracker batteries died….crap. No problemo, I have spare batteries! Now just to find somewhere to pull off the road and get the job done. A roadside truck parking bay serves well but with no lighting is a little, ah no, a LOT eerie and scary. I have the head torch in my mouth and my pocket knife out, watching over my shoulder for John Jarret. Job done and back out into the night and one the home stretch now.

Singing away in my helmet and watching the lights to my left I can feel the end and sense the awesome achievement that failing some disaster, I am going to achieve….it’s a feeling that only those who have completed these rides can understand.

Coles Express Highway 1 Port Augusta the final stop and finish docket for my SS1600 @ 23:03pm ACST – done and dusted.

ODO – 1726 kms

GPS – 1664 kms

Time: 20hrs

I’m happy and I’ve ridden this all on my own. Now to find my room next door and get some shut eye.

The Inaugural IBA Australian Parkes Muster 2016 – qualifying ride for this momentous event is a SS1600. Can I do another one, in the middle of winter, is a debate that I lost with myself. After my last one in April which could’ve ended quite differently I decided that I would be of more assistance on this one behind the scenes. Although I had intended to still ride to this event, circumstances beyond my control had me attending in the car.

ROAD TRIP!!!  As I’m in no hurry, it was a late departure from home at 10am, hoping to arrive at 3pm in Parkes. That’s was the plan anyway….LOL!!

Heading up Bells Line in Dougall (that’s the new car) towards Lithgow and true to form (well mine anyway whenever I travel this road), it starts raining..well sprinkling. It gets heavier then peeters off and repeats the sequence all the way. On the way up, I thought I’d stop at Hassans Lookout but with the rain I decided not today. Once out of town on onto the open road Dougall’s happy to sit on the cruise control and coast on through.

Planned lunch stop is Bathurst and you can’t not visit Mount Panorama. Dougall was just a little bit excited about going round this track (just quietly I was too..he he he). But before that lunch. On top of Skyline it’s a balmy 3 degrees LOL!! and the perfect place to have lunch.

Time to get the rest of that lap in…..ZOOM ZOOM!!!!   Well maybe not this time it’s strictly to the speed limit this time, but OMG it’s amazing!! And still 3 degrees…brrrr

On the road again, time to get back on the road again…….   Through Orange, Manildra and the rain is just enough to be annoying all the way to Parkes. Just as we head out of Lucknow, Dougall clicks over his first 1000 kays – Happy Birthday Dougall!

On the outskirts of town I was looking for the “Welcome to Parkes” sign for “THAT” pic      but it wasn’t there, so thought I’d take a detour before checking in and go visit “The Dish”. You know the one that was in the movie with Sam Neil and Dan Aakroyd, well now to find it. Dougall comes self-equipped with a navigation system named Daisy. So I ask Daisy to find The Dish and WHAM…..god dang it, she did!!! Confidently I followed Daisy through the back streets of Parkes and then I turn down a country road (big mistake) it turns to dirt….not just a little bit of dirt but real slippery wet clay stuff…..ARGH!! About 8 kays down the road though I spot this in the background…Eureka!!

It’s pretty impressive!! There’s not much there though. I suppose I was expected more. In the centre there are some models of the telescope and a repica of the control panel along with some amusing stuff for kids and the all-important souvenir shop.  Anyway, it’s 4:15 and they are rushing you out the door. Poor Dougall is covered in wet dripping sticky yukky clay from our little off roading adventure…I felt really bad.

Heading back to town along the highway (which I should’ve taken in the first place) and “THAT” sign appears…..photo op.

Checked in and now to organise dinner. Tonights choice is Ikon at Gracelands, great menu and not pub food. It’s kinda based on 50’s movies stars and French chic with a fire pit and a couple of gas fires. The Wild Mushroom Sauce with housemade Veal Tortellini was absolutely fabulous and wit a glass of Sauv Blanc all went down a treat. I thought I’d have any early night and a bit of a relax, but I was too excited watching the links and FB posts of my LD motorcycle friends to sleep. At 12:10am a rider pulls into the motel, so I wonder out to great them. Don’t know this fella and here I am standing in the freezing cold in my pyjama not caring and congratulating him on completing his SS1600 for the IBA Inaugural Muster. As it turns out Anthony was more impressed with meeting Lynne The Pillion and Myself in one night…lol – go figure…

Back to bed and watching dots and posts when another rider Gadget arrives. Again out in the jammies to greet him and we have a bit of a chat but he’s just done a SS1600 also in the cold and needs to get some shut eye. Watching a couple of friends travel around out in the darkness and the cold and they both stop for a bit. As it turns out, one of my friends was in distress. I contacted him and arranged for him to go to my place where Karl would be waiting for him, with a hot shower and warm bed. Still not able to sleep, check in on my other friend travelling and thankfully his spot is now heading in the right direction…phew! Exhausted I can now finally get to sleep knowing these two guys are safe and on their way. Just a note: I have many friends on this ride but not all of them post or SPOT for you to watch.

4 hours sleep….argh! but it is what it is. Head out to wash Dougall and grab some breakky and come across Brian & Tory at the BP. After signing their witness forms, Knave, then Rob and Gaggs roll in, so I sign all their forms too. May as well have breakky with the boys and they all enlighten me about their various journeys to Parkes for this event. Off to wash Dougall now and if everyone elses vehicles weren’t as dirty if not worse than mine, I’d have been embarrassed…lol. Back to the motel to get ready for the days events.

The Oz IBA Team had accepted my offer to assist with the day and I planted myself in a chair behind a computer and proceeded to check riders in and verify their route. Ever so nervous that there would be one that would be rejected (thankfully there wasn’t). Young Nevertire Nic offered to be my photographer for the day….thank you! Since I was busy and he was off like a shot.

It’s always good to catch up with familiar faces and find out how everyone’s been. I had the pleasure today of meeting the infamous 10ft Red Head “Daisy” (ok, a slight exaggeration….she’s only 7ft) and her loving man Reg from Tassie. What lovely people and I look forward to catching up with them again.

Back for a bit of a rest and to wait for Streak to arrive. It was such a great sight to see him pull into the driveway of the motel. As soon as Streak was ready, he, Gaggs and myself head back to the club for the remainder of the presentations. Shane “Cuddles” Cudlin gave us a good insight into how an Iron Butt Rally (IBR) is run and the gruelling efforts it takes on the preparation and the team. He showed us some fine photos, including some stunners of Lady Cuddles……lol.  Nevertire Nic offered to be photographer for the night but seems he hit the video button instead of camera button, so I don’t have any pics from the night and the video is very blurry. Think he moght need some more practice 🙂

I must say though, the meals at the Parkes Services Club are pretty darn good and huge servings.

Sunday morning meeting at the club before the, well ride (or drive in my case) out to The Dish for the group photo and breakfast. TJ has everyone line the street as he provides instruction or the ride out. It’s a wonderful sight seeing all the bikes and riders together.

Out at the Dish we have to wait to get through the gate, before assembling for the group photo and photos of photo grabbers and just great friends.

But it doesn’t take long before those not staying for breakfast decide to get going. Some are going straight home, some are going on great adventures and well some are just going for a ride. Now there is one person that I had been told dislikes having their pic taken and you rarely get to capture this persons face….but this morning I managed the almost impossible. I captured a partial facial shot of the infamous 10ft Redhead Daisy. I also know that I am sooooo going to pay for this when I next see her…………

Is that a smile I see Daisy????? he he he

Breakfast before heading off.  Now on the way out, I noticed a sign on the start or is that the finish of that awful road I managed to take yesterday……….

A quick call to Karl to let him know I’m on my way and can’t wait to get home. It’s pretty uneventful all the way to Lithgow where I decide to stop for lunch. Onnies was the spot today….a quaint little café on the main street. The food was fabulous but the coffee, well, should come with a warning tag…..”undrinkable”. Note to self….don’t buy coffee here again.

Unfortunately, all the numbknuckles decided they wanted to take Bells Line of road too. Needless to say it was a slow and frustrating trip down the hill. Finally back home to Karl and Ella-Jane which is always a wonderful way to end a trip.

Almost forgot…….some more pics.